śreyaḥ

 The name "śreyaḥ" in Devanagari is written 

as श्रेयः

The Sanskrit term "śreyaḥ" generally means "the better," 

"auspicious," "bliss," or "ultimate good," emphasizing what 

leads to spiritual or moral welfare and long-term happiness.

General Translation

• Adjective meaning: better, preferable, superior, excellent, or most 
• desirable 

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• Noun meaning: bliss, happiness, welfare, virtue, moral excellence, 
• auspiciousness, or final beatitude (mokṣa) for the soul 

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• Contextual sense: In ethical and philosophical texts, śreyaḥ often 
• refers to the choice that leads to spiritual growth, moral good, and 
• ultimate well-being, as opposed to kāma, which denotes transient 
• pleasure or worldly enjoyment 

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Scriptural and Philosophical Usage

• In the Bhagavad-gītā: “sva-dharme nidhanam śreyaḥ; para-dharmo 
• bhayāvahaḥ”—it is far better (śreyaḥ) to die performing one’s own 
• prescribed duty than to follow another’s duties, even perfectly, 
• highlighting moral and spiritual righteousness as superior 

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• In Yoga and Shaiva philosophy: śreyaḥ is described as the highest 
• good or supreme fortune that a practitioner strives for, including 
• liberation and spiritual wisdom 

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• In general Sanskrit literature: śreyaḥ indicates bliss 
• free from rebirth or overall betterment and progress of the self 

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Summary of Key Usages

• Moral/ethical sense: righteous action, virtue, the better choice in life.
• Spiritual sense: liberation, final beatitude, ultimate welfare.
• Secular/general sense: superior, preferable, fortunate, auspicious, 
• or welfare-bearing 

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Thus, śreyaḥ can be understood as “the ultimate good,” the superior 

course of action, or that which leads to lasting happiness and spiritual 

benefit”, making it an important term in Sanskrit ethics, philosophy, 

and religious texts 

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